Japan defends travel caution

November 14 2002By Shane GreenJapan correspondentTokyo

The Japanese Government has defended a decision to caution its citizens about the risk of terrorist attacks in Australia, saying recent advice to travellers was based on statements by governments in Australia.

"I think we are obliged to give adequate advice to Japanese visitors," Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hatsuhisa Takashima said. "This kind of advice or warning has been given by the Australian authorities."

The Australian tourism industry has moved to assure Japanese tourists of the safety of Australia after the Japanese consulates in Melbourne and Sydney last month issued "advice to exercise caution" after the Bali bombings.

Japanese tourism is worth more than $2 billion a year to the Australian economy, with safety traditionally being one of the country's biggest selling points.

The Melbourne consulate advice says that while there is no concrete, accurate information on a terror threat, "we cannot deny completely the possibility of the occurrence of terror".

It advises Japanese citizens to stay away from possible targets named by the "Victorian State (Government): electricity or gas facilities; US or United Kingdom-related facilities; State Parliament; and the spring racing carnival".

These were among the possible terror targets nominated by Premier Steve Bracks after the Bali bombings.

The Sydney consulate advice quotes Prime Minister John Howard as saying terrorism could occur in Australia.

After the Bali bombings, Mr Howard warned: "People should get out of their minds the idea that it can't happen here. It can and it has happened on our doorstep."

"Please keep in mind seriously that you should keep away from any United States-related facility as far as possible," it said.

A spokesman for federal Tourism Minister Joe Hockey said the Australian Tourist Commission was in "constant contact" with the Japanese tourism industry, stressing the safety and security measures being taken in Australia.

A Department of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman said the Japanese Government had been advised that Australian security agencies had no information detailing specific threats to Australia.